Catalytic behavior of V₂O₅ in rechargeable Li–O₂ batteries

Abstract

The possibility of using vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) as a catalyst in rechargeable lithium–oxygen (Li–O₂) batteries was studied. A V₂O₅-carbon composite was cast onto Ni foam to form a cathode. Electrochemical cells designed based on the flat cell manufactured by Hohsen Corporation were fabricated. The initial discharge capacity was 715 mA h g⁻¹, and the maximum discharge capacity reached 2,260 mA h g⁻¹ during the twelfth cycle. The cell had high capacity retention during cycling (1.24 % during cycles 2–8). V₂O₅ acted as a catalyst as well as an active material, improving the specific capacity and capacity retention of the non-aqueous Li–O₂ cell more effectively than do other materials.